Circuit controller



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,035

G. w. BERTHOLD CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed Oct. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 12, 1929, 1,702,035

G. W. BERTHOLD CIRCUIT CONTROLLER Filed Oct. 29, 1.924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

GUSTAVE W. BERTHOLD, F CHICAGO, ILLINGIS CIRCUIT CONTROLLER.

Application filed October 29, 1924;.

My invent-ion belongs to that general class of devices known as circuit controllers, and relates more particularly to a circuit controller arranged to control one or more circuits in predetermined manners to effect predetermined results. The invention has among its objects the production of a device of the kind described that is simple, compact, convenient, reliable, durable, adjust-able, eliticicnt and satisfactory for use wherever found applicable. More particularly it has as an object the production of a device of the kind described arranged to control :i plurality of circuits to produce predetermined effects. The same is particularly adapted for controlling lights, apparatus and other circuit controllers positioned at more or less remote points. Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosures herein given.

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and coinbination of parts herein shown and described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of my improved device;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a similar view illustrating a modified type;

Fig. l is a similar view illust-rating another type;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 6 6 of Fi 2;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 2, illus trating another modified form;

Fig. S is a sectional view taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring to the drawings, in which the preferred embodiments of my invention are shown, and particularly first to Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 6, I provide a plurality of discs 1 suitably spaced and mounted on a shaft 2 carried by standards 3, which may be mounted on the base 10. In the particular' embodiment shown, the discs 1 are of conducting material and are spaced from each other by the collars or sleeves 4. Each disc carries one or more adjustable contact members 5,

Serial. No, 74.8.5534.

secured rthe disc in any suitable manner. A simple and convenient securing means consists in the bolts carried by the disc and extending through the slot (j in the member 5. One bolt is preferably headed over as indicated 8 and the other provided with a thumb nut .7 so that the member may be locked in or out of opera 'ive position as deaired. For each disc I provide a cooperatin contact member 9, which may be of any suitable size, shape and material, that shown bcirg preferably EJ-shaped so that it will embrace engage with the contact 5 and form an efficient electrical. connection thereat. Contacts 9 are secured to the base 10, preferabiy 1'nsulated from the other parts of the m, by means of bolts 11 or equivalent means for the purpose.

In the particular device shown, it may be mentioned that the circuits may be connected kup in any suitable manner. As shown,

15 and 16 represent two mains, 17 illustrating diagrammatically a main controlling switch. One of the mains, as shown in 15, is connected up with the contacts on the discs, as shown, through the supports 3, shaft 2 and discs 1. The contacts 9 are connected with various circuit conductors 18, a separate switch 19 for each contact being provided if desired. I have shown a branch conductor 2O from the member 16, which, with the conductor 1S, extends to suitable apparatus, such as lamps 21, other circuit controllers or circuit breakers, motors, and the like, where the same may be applicable.

To control. and operate the discs, I have shown a member 22 mounted on the shaft and an operating lever 24 therefor. The disc or member 22 preferably provided with a plurality of depressions 2G about the periphery thereof. A pin 25 on the lever is a means to cooperate with these depressions and engage thereat so that operating a lever will move4 22. This pin 25 is carried by the lnacket 27, a spring 28 tending to normally maintain it in operative engaging position. The same is normally maintained against niovement by a spring-pressed member 23 carried by the base in the member 29. This spri'ogepressed stop is provided to prevent accidental turning of the member 22. Grasping the handle and turning the member 22 bii the successive contacts on the discs 1 in @agement with the contacts 9. bViOusiy, f the next Contact on the dise is out of operative position, or, that is, moved l depending upon the use to which the device be any desired number.

rby ya pin 42 or equivalent means. `to provide a bayonet joint connection conis to be put. Y

`I have illustrated in Fig. 2 in the dotted lines how the contact 9lv may be made of a size thatit will bridge over between two of the contacts 5 so that there will be no flick` ering or changing of the light or control of the apparatus if desired. Obviously,fthis would only be effectivel between two cent members 5, both in operative relation. If desired, a plurality of contacts 9 and 9 may be maintained at hand and the same interchanged as found desirable. Generally, however, the contact 9 is sutiicient.

In the construction shown in Fig. 3, 3l represents the discs provided with the contacts 32, it being `understood that there may These contacts are shown adjustably mounted on the discs similar to the construction previously described. In vthis case, I have shown two contacts 33, each suitably connected in a circuit, only the conductors 34 andv 35 being shown. In this case, the circuit is traced through 34, one of the contacts 33, 32, 33 and 35, and the disc shafting, etc., is not used as one -of the conductors.

v,In the modified construction shown in Fig. 7, 36 represents a hub mounted on a shaft 37 and provided with a plurality of :arms 38 which carry contact members 39 arranged to cooperate with the contact 40. In this case, contact members 39 telescope on the arms 38, but are each normally held in operative engaging position by a spring 4l. The sleeve is locked on the arms 38 I prefer sisting of the slot 43 and pin 42, so that the member 39 will not become displaced on 38 but may be pushed out of operative position and given a partial turning movement and :be vlocked in an inoperative position as is shown in Fig. 7.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a somewhat modified construction, in which 44 represents a member carrying contacts 45, which may be similar' to the type of contact shown in Fig.

8. 46 represents a contacting member arranged to cooperate therewith. One or the thumb nut on the other bolt o rhence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact forni, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In 'adevice of the class described and in combination, a shaft, a plurality of discs on the shaft in spaced relatiom a plurality of adjustable contacts arranged circumf rentially of each disc, cach Contact being formed with a longitudinal slot, spaced bolts carried by the discs and disposed in said slots, and an adjustable thumb nut on one of the bolts in each slot for retaining said contacts in various adjusted positions.

2. In a device of the class described and in combination, a shaft, a plurality of spaced discs on the shaft, contacts carrier vby each disc, each contact being formed with cach pair' ,C i to retain said contacts in various adjusted positions.

3. A circuit controller including a support, a shaft having its ends journalled in said support, a plurality of discs mounted upon the shaftandrarranged in spaced relation, collars on the shaft between the discs to retain them in spaced relation, a plurality of adjustable contacts carriedby each disc, spaced contacts on the support to be engaged rby the contacts on the discs, a stop disc on the shaft at one end having spaced depressions in its periphery, a lever loosel, mounted on the shaft, a spring pressed pin carried by the lever to engage in any one of said depressions to impart movement to the shaft, and a spring pressed stop member on the support to engage one of said depressions for retaining the shaft against movement when any of the adjustable contacts on the first discs are engaged with the contacts on the support.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

GUSTAVE W. BERTHOLD. 

